Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong openly criticised US President Donald Trump for raising tariffs on multiple countries, including India, calling him “a bully.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Xu condemned Trump’s use of tariffs as a tool of pressure.

“Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,” Xu wrote, echoing China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Chinese foreign minister had earlier said, “Using tariffs as a weapon to suppress other countries violates the UN Charter, undermines WTO rules, and is both unpopular and unsustainable.” Wang made this statement during a phone call with Celso Amorim, the chief adviser to Brazil’s president, on Wednesday.

Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile. pic.twitter.com/IMdIM9u1nd

— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) August 7, 2025

Strategic Rivalries and Shifting Alliances

For years, successive US governments maintained close ties with India to counter China’s influence. However, India and China remain fierce rivals, competing for power across South Asia.

In the middle of this tariff dispute, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considering a visit to China in late August. If confirmed, it would be his first trip there since 2018. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last met in October last year in Russia.

Tariffs to Hit Indian Exports Hard

According to Bloomberg, the new US tariffs will take effect in 21 days. They are expected to target labour-intensive sectors such as gems and jewellery, textiles, and footwear. Analysts warn this could disrupt trade in these goods and push India to find alternative markets quickly.

India Calls Tariffs Unfair

Meanwhile, New Delhi has strongly opposed Trump’s move. Officials called the tariffs “unfair, unjustified” and accused the US president of singling out India, despite other nations also importing oil from Moscow.